what to do when you have been in an accident
TRANSCRIPT
Assess Your Condition
• The first thing to do after an
accident is to briefly assess
your condition to determine
if it is safe for you to move.
• If you do not believe you
are injured, you should
then check to see if anyone
else needs medical
attention.
• Contact the police in order
to get emergency
assistance on the scene.
Take Safety Precautions
• Turn on your hazard lights
and use any flares you
might have in your trunk.
This will help other drivers
avoid the accident scene.
• Do not remain in the
roadway, as this might lead
to further injury.
Gather and report
• You will want to get the
license tag information as
well as the insurance
information for the other
driver.
• When the police arrive on
the scene, you will likely be
questioned.
• Be sure to stick to the facts
and don’t provide
additional information that
isn’t relevant to the case at
hand.
Sketch the Scene
• You should sketch the
accident as you recall it.
• This doesn’t have to be a
professional drawing, but it
should depict your vehicle,
the other vehicles involved,
and what happened.
• Do this as soon after the
accident as possible so
everything is still fresh in
your memory.
Seek Medical Assistance
• Even if you don’t believe that you are hurt, you may have suffered a serious injury.
• Many collision-related injuries don’t present symptoms until later in the day or even the following few days.
• Getting medical treatment immediately will help you if you need to seek damages in the future.
Contact a Lawyer
• A lawyer is your best line of
defense after an accident.
• If you are injured, you have
the right to seek
compensation for your
medical costs.
• You can also seek
compensation of other
expenses, such as lost
wages, rehabilitation, and
transportation to medical
appointments.
Do Not Speak to an Insurance
Adjuster
• Do not speak to insurance
adjuster about your injuries
before consulting a lawyer.
• The insurance companies
want to settle for the lowest
price possible, and you
might not get the funds for
which you are entitled.
• Your lawyer can deal with
the adjustors so you don’t
have to.
Know Your Rights
• Whenever you are involved
in an accident, you should
make sure you are aware
of your rights.
• You don’t have to say
anything that might
incriminate you when
talking with the police.
• If you are ever unsure of
your rights under the law,
contact a lawyer for
assistance.
Contact Us
• www.edsonlegal.com
• 1-855-702-3119
• www.facebook.com/EdsonLegal